News
TEAM NEWS | Four changes for trip to Ealing
Mike Rayer has named his squad as Bedford Blues’ tough run of fixtures throughout December continues with a trip to unbeaten league leaders and defending champions, Ealing Trailfinders tomorrow (KO 3pm).
Tickets remain available from our hosts for the clash in the capital; click here to join us at Trailfinders Sports Club.
After a battling victory over Nottingham last weekend in a 4th v 5th battle at Goldington Road, Blues have still got tomorrow’s clash at Ealing, then a trip to the other unbeaten side Jersey Reds before a sell-out Boxing Day derby with Ampthill to conclude the calendar year.
One of the club’s oldest fixtures having first met in 1891, tomorrow’s game will present a completely different challenge, particularly after Rayer’s side upset the form books to become the first side to win away at Ealing in three years back in February.
Blues will be looking to spring another surprise against a side who have been nothing short of a juggernaut this season, currently holding all 40 points available in league competition, and also securing a clean sweep of bonus point victories in the first phase of cup action.
For the 26th meeting between the two clubs, Rayer has had some injury concerns to contend with and makes four changes to the side from last time out against Nottingham.
That sees two changes in the forwards pack and another two in the backs division, including a first league start of the campaign for Louis Grimoldby who has fully recovered from the concussion problem which has limited his game time so far this season.
Ethan Grayson also comes into the Starting XV at outside centre, meaning positional alterations for Matt Worley – who moves to full-back – and Seán French shifts to the wing this time around.
Versatility within the squad is shown again in the pack as Luke Frost moves into the back row to accommodate a completely new second row as Jordan Onojaife and Brandon Nansen combine in the engine room for the very first time.
After three appearances for the club last season, this is Nansen’s first minutes of the campaign in blue having headed across from Northampton Saints this week.
Among the replacements, the rotation of the prop jerseys continue with Monty Royston and Osman Dimen brought into the matchday squad.
Saints duo George Hendy and Kayde Sylvester join Jacob Fields and Alex Woolford on the treatment table.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Matt Worley, 14. Seán French, 13. Ethan Grayson, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. Jack Hughes, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Brandon Nansen, 5. Jordan Onojaife, 6. Karl Wilkins, 7. Luke Frost, 8. Tui Uru
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Callum Burns, 17. Monty Royston, 18. Osman Dimen, 19. Robin Williams, 20. Charles Rylands, 21. Jake Garside, 22. Will Maisey, 23. Pat Tapley
